Assess human population and its impact on local ecosystems and global environments (NC SCOS Biology, 5.03)
Prior Web 2.0 Knowledge
Use of Wiki
Use of spreadsheet program
Length of lesson
Two 90 minute classes
Learning Outcomes
The learner will be able to determine the health of one river system based upon three different locations in North Carolina based upon PH, conductivity, water temperature, and levels of dissolved oxygen through analysis of Internet data.
The learner will research human interactions that could impact the health of each river system using Web 2.0 tools.
The learner will research methods that can be taken to improve each river system using web research strategies and analysis.
The learner will create a Web 2.0-based audio visual presentation that will focus on one river system. The presentation will include information on the health of the river, human impact on the river, and methods of improving the overall health of the river.
Seating Arrangement
Students will work in groups of 4. Tables/desks should be arranged in collaborative circles or squares. Initially, students will need to be facing the "front" of the room for a video presentation.
DAY 1
Introduction
{collaborative group work, writing to learn, questioning, literacy groups, classroom talk}
Length: 37 Minutes
Video on Cuyahoga River (embedded in Wiki). This video can also be download to your local machine using http://keepvid.com/ as a .mp4 video file.
Divide your class into group of 4 students. Each group will be investigating a different
Wiki Discussion (Use the Tab labeled "Discussion")
The Cuyahoga River situation led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In your group find a different environmental disaster that has occurred in the United States.
What happened?
When did it occur?
What were the environmental consequences?
What has been done to fix this disaster? What has been done to keep this from occurring again?
HOMEWORK 1: Read at least one other group’s post. Find at least two other facts to add to their synopsis. Has the government done enough to fix this disaster and prevent it from happening again? Support your thoughts. Post your answers to question 1 and 2 in the discussion tab of the group's page. We will discuss these in class tomorrow.
Lesson
Length: 50 Minutes “Today we are going to learn about how humans are impacting the environment in North Carolina by gauging the health of two different water systems. You will begin by working with your partner on one system and answering the questions about that system. Tomorrow, you will discuss your system with your entire table, explaining why or why not you believe this water system is healthy. You have 50 minutes to answer your questions.”
Partner Activity {collaborative group work, writing to learn, questioning, classroom talk}
Group A (slightly more complex due to averaging values)
You are viewing data about the Neuse River at three locations in North Carolina. First, click on the hyperlink below to open the data sets.
Your data sets have two values for every category because the USGS took readings at both the top and bottom of the river. For each category and each year, average the two values (sampling depth, water temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen). Next, convert your water temperature average into degrees Fahrenheit. The formula is Fo = (9/5)•Co + 32
Open Google Spreadsheets. Create a table similar to the USGS table for each location on the river, except use the averages you found.
You are viewing data about the Roanoke River at three locations in North Carolina. First, click on the hyperlink below to open the data sets.
Your data sets have two values for every category because the USGS took readings at both the top and bottom of the river. For each category and each year, average the two values (sampling depth, water temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen). Next, convert your water temperature average into degrees Fahrenheit. The formula is Fo = (9/5)•Co + 32
Open Google Spreadsheets. Create a table similar to the USGS table for each location on the river, except use the averages you found.
Dissolved oxygen must be above 5 mg/l. Good water is about 8 mg/l.
Answer the questions on the wiki
Wrap Up
Length: 3 minutes
Remind Students to complete partner activity and Homework1 from Introduction for homework
Homework
Complete Partner Activity
Complete Homework1 from Introduction {writing to learn, questioning, classroom talk}
Day 2
Introduction
{questioning, classroom talk} Length: 30 minutes
"I have read through the environmental disasters posted yesterday and have been very impressed with your posts and responses. I would like to talk a little bit more on each of these disasters."
Using probing questions, such as:
The questions provided asked you what has been done to prevent this from occurring again. However, they did not address how we allowed such disasters to occur. Many occurred during our progression in becoming an industrialized nation. Are such disasters to be expected as other countries become industrialized? Is it the consequence of becoming an advanced nation?
One question asked whether you thought the government has done enough to prevent this disaster from occurring again? There seemed to be differing views. What made you come to these conclusions?
Lesson
Length: 50 minutes
"We are now going to go back to the river ecosystems that you each investigated with your partner. First I would like you to discuss what you discovered with your group for 10 minutes. We will then discuss each system as a class, so make sure you understand each river system's results so that you can participate."
Group Discussion (10 minutes) {collaborative group work, questioning, classroom talk}
Share your findings with the other group at the table. Use the explain how the health of the river has changed over time and what its current health is.
Class Discussion (20 minutes) {questioning, scaffolding, classroom talk}
Have class discussion about one river system and the health of that river based upon the students prior group discussion
"That was some great discussion! I am now going to give you 20 minutes to begin working on your weekly project. Directions are on the 'Weekly Project' page. Let's look at them now so that we can make sure you understand what you are to do. The rubric is provided at the bottom of the page."
Weekly Project (20 minutes to begin) {collaborative group work, writing to learn, questioning, literacy groups, scaffolding, classroom talk}
Choose one of the two rivers to complete your project.
Go to Google Maps and plot the general locations of the three checkpoints given in the daily activity. Put the map in Terrain View. This will help provide you with a general region that impacts that specific river.
Research four ways humans are impacting that specific river. Make sure to reference each way discussed.
Based upon how humans are impacting the river, research three methods that can be used to help improve the river. Make sure to reference each method discussed.
Create a 5-7 minute audio visual presentation that includes the four bullets above. Be creative. Make sure to load it on the presentation page so that everyone can see your presentation.
Watch all five videos. Comment on at least one video about something you found interesting or something that you learned.
Wrap Up
Length: 10 minutes
Video on The Return of the Cuyahoga River (embedded in Wiki)
Homework: Explain one method that was used to help restore the Cuyahoga River. Cite your source. Then read and respond to another student’s method with a question or comment about the long term or short term impact of this specific method on improving the river. {writing to learn, questioning, scaffolding, classroom talk}
Homework
Find one method that was used to help restore the Cuyahoga River. Cite your source. Read and respond to at least one other student’s method with a question or comment about the long term or short term impact of this specific method on improving the river. {writing to learn, questioning, scaffolding, classroom talk}
Weekly Project: Complete and Upload your Weekly Project. Watch all four videos. Comment on at least one video about something you found interesting or something that you learned. These will be shared at the end of the given time. {collaborative group work, writing to learn, questioning, literacy groups, scaffolding, classroom talk}
Rubric
Category
Maximum Point Value
Excellent
Good
Needs Improvement
Did not Complete
Google Map
10
Points: 10
1) Map is embedded or included within presentation
2) Map is in Terrain view
3) Included all three checkpoints on Map
Points: 5 - 9
1) Map is embedded or included within presentation
2) Only two of the checkpoints are included
Points: 1 - 4
1) Map is embedded or included within presentation
2) Only one checkpoint is included
Points: 0
Did not include map or map did not include any checkpoints
Human Impact on the River System
25
Points: 25
1) Human impacts are included in the presentation
2) Included 4 human impacts
3) Included how each these human impacts are affecting the river system
Points: 12 - 24
1) Human impacts are included in the presentation
2) Included at least 2 human impacts
3) Included how each these human impacts are affecting the river system
Points: 1 - 11
1) Human impacts are included in the presentation
2) Included at least 1 human impact
3) Included how each these human impacts are affecting the river system
Points: 0
Did not include any human impacts in the presentation
Methods for Improving River System
25
Points: 25
1) Improvements are included in the presentation
2) Included 3 improvements
3) Included how each these improvements will affect the river system
Points: 12 - 24
1) Improvements are included in the presentation
2) Included at least 2 improvements
3) Included how each these improvements will affect the river system
Points: 1 - 11
1) Improvements are included in the presentation
2) Included 1 improvement
3) Included how each these improvements will affect the river system
Points: 0
Did not include any methods for improving the river system
Citation of Sources
10
Points: 10
All human impacts and methods of improvement are cited using MLA format
Points: 5 - 9
Over half of the human impacts and methods of improvement are cited using MLA format
Points: 1 - 4
Less than half of the human impacts and methods of improvement are cited using MLA format
Points: 0
None of the human impacts and methods of improvement are cited using MLA format
Quality of Presentation
20
Points: 20
1) Presentation is uploaded by due date
2) Presentation is between 5 - 7 minutes
3) Presentation includes both audio and visual aspects
4) Presentation is well organized and coherent
Points: 10 - 19
1) Presentation is uploaded by due date
2) Presentation is between 2 - 10 minutes
3) Presentation includes either audio and/or visual aspects
4) Presentation is well organized and coherent
Points: 1 - 10
1) Presentation is uploaded by within two days after due date
2) Presentation is at least 1 minute long
3) Presentation only includes audio or visual aspects
4) Presentation is not organized and coherent
Points: 0
No presentation is uploaded within two days after due date
OR
Presentation is less than 1 minute long
Individual Review of Presentations
10
Points: 10
Individual Review included:
1) Overall comments about the presentation
2) Comment on something you learned
3) Comment on something you found interesting
Points: 5 - 9
Individual Review includes two of the three from the "Excellent" group
Points: 1 - 4
Individual Review includes one of the three from the "Excellent" gropu
Table of Contents
Biology Lesson for Redesigned Schools 2.0
Standard
Assess human population and its impact on local ecosystems and global environments (NC SCOS Biology, 5.03)Prior Web 2.0 Knowledge
Length of lesson
Learning Outcomes
Seating Arrangement
DAY 1
Introduction
{collaborative group work, writing to learn, questioning, literacy groups, classroom talk}Length: 37 Minutes
Lesson
Length: 50 Minutes“Today we are going to learn about how humans are impacting the environment in North Carolina by gauging the health of two different water systems. You will begin by working with your partner on one system and answering the questions about that system. Tomorrow, you will discuss your system with your entire table, explaining why or why not you believe this water system is healthy. You have 50 minutes to answer your questions.”
Wrap Up
Length: 3 minutesHomework
Day 2
Introduction
{questioning, classroom talk}Length: 30 minutes
"I have read through the environmental disasters posted yesterday and have been very impressed with your posts and responses. I would like to talk a little bit more on each of these disasters."
Using probing questions, such as:
Lesson
Length: 50 minutes"We are now going to go back to the river ecosystems that you each investigated with your partner. First I would like you to discuss what you discovered with your group for 10 minutes. We will then discuss each system as a class, so make sure you understand each river system's results so that you can participate."
- Group Discussion (10 minutes) {collaborative group work, questioning, classroom talk}
- Share your findings with the other group at the table. Use the explain how the health of the river has changed over time and what its current health is.
- Class Discussion (20 minutes) {questioning, scaffolding, classroom talk}
- Have class discussion about one river system and the health of that river based upon the students prior group discussion
"That was some great discussion! I am now going to give you 20 minutes to begin working on your weekly project. Directions are on the 'Weekly Project' page. Let's look at them now so that we can make sure you understand what you are to do. The rubric is provided at the bottom of the page."Wrap Up
Length: 10 minutesHomework
Rubric
1) Map is embedded or included within presentation
2) Map is in Terrain view
3) Included all three checkpoints on Map
1) Map is embedded or included within presentation
2) Only two of the checkpoints are included
1) Map is embedded or included within presentation
2) Only one checkpoint is included
Did not include map or map did not include any checkpoints
1) Human impacts are included in the presentation
2) Included 4 human impacts
3) Included how each these human impacts are affecting the river system
1) Human impacts are included in the presentation
2) Included at least 2 human impacts
3) Included how each these human impacts are affecting the river system
1) Human impacts are included in the presentation
2) Included at least 1 human impact
3) Included how each these human impacts are affecting the river system
Did not include any human impacts in the presentation
1) Improvements are included in the presentation
2) Included 3 improvements
3) Included how each these improvements will affect the river system
1) Improvements are included in the presentation
2) Included at least 2 improvements
3) Included how each these improvements will affect the river system
1) Improvements are included in the presentation
2) Included 1 improvement
3) Included how each these improvements will affect the river system
Did not include any methods for improving the river system
All human impacts and methods of improvement are cited using MLA format
Over half of the human impacts and methods of improvement are cited using MLA format
Less than half of the human impacts and methods of improvement are cited using MLA format
None of the human impacts and methods of improvement are cited using MLA format
1) Presentation is uploaded by due date
2) Presentation is between 5 - 7 minutes
3) Presentation includes both audio and visual aspects
4) Presentation is well organized and coherent
1) Presentation is uploaded by due date
2) Presentation is between 2 - 10 minutes
3) Presentation includes either audio and/or visual aspects
4) Presentation is well organized and coherent
1) Presentation is uploaded by within two days after due date
2) Presentation is at least 1 minute long
3) Presentation only includes audio or visual aspects
4) Presentation is not organized and coherent
No presentation is uploaded within two days after due date
OR
Presentation is less than 1 minute long
Individual Review included:
1) Overall comments about the presentation
2) Comment on something you learned
3) Comment on something you found interesting
Individual Review includes two of the three from the "Excellent" group
Individual Review includes one of the three from the "Excellent" gropu
Individual Review was not completed